Interactive Maps: Language Access Service Needs Statewide (2022-S-38)

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Department of Motor Vehicles: Language Access Services (2022-S-38)

Overview

To assist Limited English Proficiency (LEP) individuals and provide equal access to government programs and services, Executive Order 26, issued on October 6, 2011, established a statewide language access policy in New York State. The order required Executive State agencies that provide direct public services to translate vital documents into the six most common non-English languages in the State based on U.S. Census data and to provide interpretation services. Executive Order 26.1, issued on March 23, 2021, amended Executive Order 26 and increased the number of languages that vital documents were to be translated into to 10. New York State Executive Law Chapter 18, Article 10, Section 202-A (Executive Law), which took effect on July 1, 2022, codified and expanded the State’s language access policy requiring translation of vital documents into the 12 most common non-English languages. The Executive Law also required such agencies to publish a Language Access Plan (Plan) that sets forth the actions the agency will take to ensure meaningful access to their services for LEP New Yorkers. The Department of Motor Vehicles (Department or DMV) is one of the agencies required to develop a Plan.